Buying a used 2003 Landcruiser, Need some advise

[rahee006]

Hi Everybody, I just created my account here, I am looking into buying a 2003 Toyota Landcruiser, Atlantis Blue with Ivory Leather interior. it is at a dealer and is a One owner car with 186k miles. It has some small imperfections, driver seat has some cracks, the grey moldings/trims is a little work out, a couple scuffs on the rear bumper, but overall it looks great, especially because of the color. I called the dealership that sold the car brand new, and they have no records of the water pump and timing belt being replaced. the dealer is asking $12995, i offered him $9000 cash, he is going to let me know tomorrow if he can do it or not. I would like to know if it is worth it? i can spend 2-3k more and get a much nicer lx470. i dont plan to do any major offroading with it anytime soon, this is a car i planned on buying since i was a kid. I live in new york, and winter gets pretty rough here. I have done some reading on how to add auxiliary audio input on a landcruiser with NAV, also how to do the timing belt+ waterpump. anyway, i have attached some pictures. thank you for reading!

 

[Sandroad]

It cleaned up pretty nice outside! You mentioned rough winters.....have you looked carefully underneath for extensive rust? The timing belt definitely should have been replaced some time ago, and even if it was, it's due again. If it wasn't, you might wonder about whether other basic maintenance has been done? I suspect the dealer will come back with a counter-offer, since you offered almost 25% less than the asking price. If the test drive went well and the Carfax or Autocheck is acceptable, looks like a nice ride for your offer price.

 

[bctlex]

If the vehicle has spent time up north, how is the rust under the car, around the windshield and on the top-rear hatch?

 

[rahee006]

the car is very clean underneath, i have checked it, is there any certain spots i shud look at? there are minor scratches and dings, is there anyway to find out whether the timing belt has been replaced? i havnt checked for labels/markings on the engine bay ( seen some cars with maintenance records on there ) i wonder how hard it is to do the timing belt on the 2uzfe?

 

[jLB]

There are a few write-ups on mud covering the timing belt replacement.

I think this thread links to a few of them:

90K service for extra dumb dummies

 

[bctlex]

If the car is clean underneath, thats a good thing. Some dealer would spray paint under the car with black color to make it look clean and cover up the rust, just fyi. Kinda unexpected to have a clean underneath unless the car has been in the South - not exposed to salt in winter.

My understanding is when one change timing belt, they should put a sticker somewhere in the engine bay - usually on top of the engine, showing when and the odometer.

I cant tell you how hard to change timing belt, I never done it, and I am planning to leave that to the expert.

Good luck!

 

[rahee006]

i checked on the forum, it ranges between $500-1000 labor. so i wudnt mind paying that either. The car is infact clean, the tow hook looks unused ( probably never towed anything ) the steering wheel and drivers seat has some wear, thats about it, some paint missing on the trims, but nothing too major, doors have some scuffs, it just needs detailing and touch-ups here and there. i love the color tho! i got the Autocheck report but it barely tells me anything except for the registration.title renewals and the inspections. it does have one collision damage with another vehicle.

 

[rahee006]

only record i have found, no 90k mile service.

 

[2003lx470]

Can you have an independent mechanic take a second look? I think it would be well worth the money

 

[jLB]

~13 years old, has travelled 186K miles, and has had a total of 4 trips to the dealer?

What does the service history look like on the LX470 that you're looking at?

 

[rahee006]

the LX470 is a 2nd owner car selling for $16000 with 118k miles its grey on grey. I will attach pictures, has the 90k service done, new brakes and many other maintainance records, but I highly prefer the looks of the landcruiser.

 

[jLB]

Yep, I prefer the looks of the land cruiser too, but 4 trips to the dealer in 13 years would make me more than a little cautious.


I don't believe a "1 owner" with a "just gas it and drive it" attitude is a plus over a 2 owner well maintained vehicle.

 

[rahee006]

I am well aware of rust, i know buying the cheapest one is not a good idea, but I am not trying to shell out alot of money for one, no more then 10-12k, and i always wanted a blue one or either the black garnet. ive done some digging and found the address for the dealership the car was serviced/got its inspection, but cant find the name.

on the other hand i found an 07 with 184k miles with alot of service records.

 

[jLB]

That's more like what I would expect/want for a service history.

I suspect that they'll want more than 10-12k for that 07 though.

 

[rahee006]

they are asking 16k for the 07 Land Cruiser

 

[bctlex]

i checked on the forum, it ranges between $500-1000 labor. so i wudnt mind paying that either. The car is infact clean, the tow hook looks unused ( probably never towed anything ) the steering wheel and drivers seat has some wear, thats about it, some paint missing on the trims, but nothing too major, doors have some scuffs, it just needs detailing and touch-ups here and there. i love the color tho! i got the Autocheck report but it barely tells me anything except for the registration.title renewals and the inspections. it does have one collision damage with another vehicle.

Collision where? How severe? Front/rear/side? Airbag deployed?

Edit - I would walk away from any vehicle that has been in collision unless I know the collision is minor (like it only need to replace the bumper), and there is a prove of work that was done and/or picture before/after collision. Just personal preference here.

 

[rahee006]

The dealer gave me an Autocheck, not a carfax, the Autocheck has barely any information, just says collision with another vehicle, I will post it here in a few mins.

 

[JohnnyUtah]

My vote for now is on the LX470. I like the history, low mileage, and upkeep it has.

I do however understand your desire for the LC look and name.

 

[PabloCruise]

I would go for the LX or the '07

 

[re_guderian]

If you can get it for 9k, I'd rock the '03 blue one! I have an '04 in that color, had been in a fender bender (hood, bumper and front quarter replaced) and the timing belt never done until 170 K. Just update the maintenance and drive the $#!@ outta that rig!